Kanji Cheat Sheet: Washers and Dryers

Whether you have a separate washing machine and dryer, a combined unit, or just a washer, these appliances can be difficult to master in Japan, where the controls are almost always in Japanese only. To ease frustration and help you get your laundry done right in no time, check out the following list of characters that are commonly found on these machines.

Washing Machine and Dryer Kanji and Kana

洗剤 detergent

漂白剤 bleach

柔軟剤 fabric softener

洗濯コース washing course

標準 standard

お急ぎ fast

毛布 / もうふ heavy (blankets/linen)

手洗い / 念入り gentle wash

わが家流 personalized settings

洗濯 / 洗い / あらい wash

すすぎ rinse

排水 drain

脱水 spin dry

一時停止 / いちじていし pause

冷水 cold water

温水 warm water

水量 water volume

水位 water level

給水 water supply

洗濯のみ wash only

乾燥のみ dry only

洗・乾切替 to switch between washing/drying

洗濯～乾燥連続運転 continuous wash to dry operation

乾燥 dry

室内干し indoor drying / hanging clothes inside

ソフト温風 soft warm air

送風 cool air

高温 hot/high temperature

控えめ low temperature/controlled drying

For a list of additional kanji that are useful when operating general appliances, click here. To learn how to operate your Japanese air conditioning unit, click here. And for a list of kanji and kana that appear on Japanese microwave ovens, click here.